leob1

Does anybody have a technique that is easy and neat for marking and cutting the end if handle bar tape? Starting at the end, and finishing near the stem.
Any by the way, don't tape bars when you are tired, and have had enough of bikes for the day, even though your wife want's it done.

1 Miyata Biker

There is usually finishing tape included with the handlebar tape kit, but sometimes this tape isn't the best and doesn't stick very well. One tip for finishing the handlebar tape job, is to never wrap the finishing tape onto the handlebar itself. Keep the finished end on the handlebar tape. This prevents the finishing tape wrap that has to go from the handlebar tape down to the lower surface of the handlebar. This bit of an offset is where the finishing tape unravels. If the finishing tape that included in the handlebar tape kit is the quality you want, electrical tape of a contrasting color or matching color can usually be found at a "big box" store or local hardware store.

RPK79

I just cut it at an angle so it thins out to the tip and have it end on the bottom of the bar. Then I finish it off with 3M electrical tape. The first wrap of tape I do tight so it is secure, which is cut off. Then I do a second cosmetic layer of electrical tape that I do not stretch at all. Make sure to end the tape at the bottom of the bar.

Looigi

Yes. I have a method of finishing off bar tape that is easy and neat. One important trick is to use only 3M 33 or 88 electrical tape for the finishing wrap.

fietsbob

I try to overlap the top portions more to be a bit fatter and so I don't have to cut off excess.

Then use 3M tape to hold it down.

cyccommute 

I find that a hawkbill knife (this is only an example there are many others) works best to make a straight cut around a tube. Run the tape up to where you want to end it, then cut the tape. For finishing, I much prefer self fusing silicone tape like Rescue Tape or Tommy Tape to electrician's tape. It fuses smoothly, makes a permanent bond and doesn't get sticky like adhesive tape can. It comes in several different colors as well

leob1

I considered doing this, and I can see how the hawkbill would work. But I had issues with holding the bar tape in place, do you apply the finish tape first and use that as a guide, or cut the bar tape first, then apply the finish tape?

dsbrantjr

+100 on self-fusing silicone tape. It comes in lots of colors, including clear, to match or contrast with your frame/tape. Great for 1000 other uses.

cyccommute 

I cut the tape first. However, if the tape doesn't stick, you can use a small amount of electrical tape or a bit of the silicone tape to hold it while you cut it. Then you finish it with a couple of wraps of the silicone tape.

rootboy 

Plastic tape is easy, which is what you asked for. Personally I've never liked the look of plastic tape on bicycles, but it goes better on more "modern" bikes than it does on older classics. This aint easy, but I like the looks. Especially on older bikes. Crochet thread, sealed with a couple of costs of clear shellac.


This is thin braided black nylon

hayden52

Here's a good video demonstrating one technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4ljNhpyKqc

zukahn1 

Norm you well come up short just vuy another rolll and go.

a77impala

I never use tape, string only.

wrk101

+100 Self fusing tape, its all I use, lots of colors. No adhesive, sticks to itself, no gooey mess.

e_guevara

i double over the last bit so I don't have to cut it, does make it a bit thicker at the end though. Then I use two passes of electrical tape - the first is stretched taut to hold the tape in place, and the second is mostly for a cosmetic finish. Sometimes I use the supplied finishing tape over the electrical tape. It's important to finish the wrap and cut the tape at the bottom of the bar for a clean look.

Velocivixen

I use electricians tape then use twine (see Rivendell video for "how to") at the ends to cover the tape. If the tape is dark, I use black waxed twine, otherwise hemp twine & shellac.

Slash5

That's a great idea using two separate layers of electrical tape to finish off. Never thought of that. Really hard to match the width of the stretched tape.
Thanks.

cranky old road 

I put a pass of electrical tape with the sticky side out halfway under where the tapered bar tape will end. The electrical tape will stretch enough to fold over the bar tape edge. Then I wrap the Cinelli finishing tape around it even with the electrical tape's edge.

Looigi

No sticky mess with 3M 33 or 88 electrical tape. It sticks well, is very stretchy conforming to the step between the tape and the bar, doesn't shrink or creep after installation, and the adhesive never gets gooey or bleeds. Removing the tape leaves no adhesive behind. Not saying it's necessarily superior to silicone tape but it is an alternative and way better than lesser electrical tapes.

cyccommute 

I've used both and neither is as clean as you say in my experience. Heat makes matters worse with both. The 3M tape is a step up from cheaper alternatives but the fusable silicon has no adhesive at all. It's a stretchy as electrician's tape, conforms to the tape and bars and is about a close to shrink-wraping the bars there is without shrink-wrap

Cen

I just finished a experiment using no adhesive tape, and starting from the stem.

1- I cut a piece of the additional padding layer where I was going to overlap the tape to avoid having a bump there.
2- Placement of the tape
3- The first turn I did it stretching the tape to hold the end in place
4- I kept rolling the tape all the way to the bottom.
5- The upper end looks very clean
6- This was the tricky part, but if you have enough tape left it is easier. Just drop it in there

7- I'm very pleased with the result, aesthetically at least, I'll keep you updated of how it performs. I think it depends a lot on the start being really tight, I left very little material under the first turn because the tape was just long enough for my handlebar, but I am sure that with more length the start of the tape will be even more secure.

gems

I wrap from the stem on all my bikes-- I find it much easier--no taping b/c the end plug sets it in place. I refurb a lot of bikes--when wrapping a lot of bikes it cuts a couple minutes off of each bike. Also there's no chance of the tape unraveling. Also, I like the look with no elec. tape.

leob1

Brakes?

Cen

Track bike ;-)

noglider 

We switched from taping top-down to bottom-up because the edges are not exposed this way. As a result, bottom-up jobs last longer.

I glue the ends with contact cement or similar.